If the Topic Is Disabled List, It’s a Sore Subject for Erstad

Darin Erstad hit .355 last season, proof he is one of the best hitters in baseball when sound. Erstad is hitting .242 this season, and he might not be completely healthy again until next season.

“His knee is going to bother him the rest of the year,” hitting coach Mickey Hatcher said. “He’s searching to try to find something he can do that won’t mess up his swing.”

Erstad injured his right knee while working out over the winter and aggravated the injury diving for a ball last month. An MRI revealed a sprained ligament, and Erstad has tinkered with his swing in trying to retain the power of his front leg without aggravating the injury yet again.

Doctors told him the injury would heal only with rest, but Erstad said he had no intention of resting for several weeks during the season. He said daily treatment is helping, ever so slowly, and he would reconsider his aversion to the disabled list only if his condition worsens.

Erstad isn’t hitting. Garret Anderson isn’t hitting for extra bases. Tim Salmon isn’t hitting with runners in scoring position. The Angels rank in the bottom five of the American League in runs, hits, home runs, on-base percentage and slugging percentage.

Blame the stars alone, if you will. Blame the whole lineup, if you will. But second baseman Adam Kennedy points out the Angels are missing a very large piece of their offensive puzzle.

“People are forgetting Mo [Vaughn] is not in the lineup,” Kennedy said. “People say he had a bad year last year, but he had 35 home runs and 120 RBI [36 and 117, actually].

“That’s just gone from our lineup, and it has not been replaced by anybody. His presence, and his 100 RBIs, we’re missing that. It’s just not there.”

Jose Canseco, originally signed to provide power in Vaughn’s absence, did not make the team. Glenallen Hill, acquired to replace Canseco, hit .135 with one home run and two RBIs before going on the disabled list April 22.

The Angels lead the league in one offensive category--sacrifice bunts. They had two more Friday. As much as Manager Mike Scioscia emphasizes bunting proficiency, he admits he wouldn’t be bunting quite so often if the Angels were scoring more often.

“We haven’t scratched the surface offensively. At times, that will dictate some strategies,” he said. “I wouldn’t call it pressure, but I think this is a time we need to explore other avenues. We haven’t been producing enough runs with our core to sit back and play for the big inning.”

Injury updates: Catcher Jorge Fabregas (inflamed right elbow) said he expected to be activated from the disabled list by Tuesday. . . . Catcher Bengie Molina (strained right hamstring) is at least two weeks away from returning, Scioscia said. . . . Designated hitter Hill (strained rib cage) was still feeling the effects of a strained hamstring Saturday, and Scioscia said the Angels would evaluate Hill today before deciding whether he can begin a minor league rehabilitation assignment Monday.

TONIGHT

ANGELS’ ISMAEL VALDES

(2-3, 4.03 ERA)

vs.

INDIANS’ C.C. SABATHIA

(5-1, 3.86 ERA)

Edison Field, 5

TV--ESPN. Radio--KLAC (570),

XPRS (1090).

* Update--At 20, the 6-foot-7 Sabathia is the youngest pitcher in the majors. Valdes handed him his only loss of the season at Cleveland on April 25.

* Tickets--(714) 663-9000.